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There is a man in Cyprus who has many things to say. He is an artist, a legend already in the famous world of dance, he is the one you need to know what he has to say. We had the great pleasure to meet him and ask him a few questions about his new ballet production “Once Upon” but also about his last years spend at The Limassol Municipal Dance Centre as a dedicated Artistic Director. Mr. Lambros Lambrou devoted his life to dance. He traveled around the world to share his expertise to other young dancers. His ballets were being performed all over the world like Canada, Cuba, Australia and the United States, where he was able to win his reputation for excellence and professionalism. He directed for a decade as Artistic Director of Ballet Austin in Texas, U.S.A and continued his passion in Limassol as the Artistic Director of Limassol Municipal Dancing Centre.

We had a great pleasure to ask him a few questions.

Mr. Lambros first of all thank you very much for this amazing opportunity that you offer to our readers.

KidsFuninCyprus: After almost 13 years spent at The Limassol Municipal Dance Centre what you can you tell us about your accomplishments and frustrations that you encounter?Mr. Lambros Lambrou:
Today people can see why the Centre is still here. Students I have known are now dancing professionally in Europe and beyond, those who have not sought a professional career are some of the best-informed people I know. I would have been happier if the Republic of Cyprus along with the the business sector took a leap of faith and give me the tools to establish a professional school rather than a school run professionally.

KidsFuninCyprus: What ages do you accept at the Centre?Mr. Lambros Lambrou: The ideal age for a boy or girl to start lessons is between 8 and 9. There are other factors too such as a flexible body, natural rhythm and coordination. We inherit these things to a large extent.

KidsFuninCyprus: Is it time to re think training for professional dancing as opposed to dance for recreation? What do you think about continuous repetition that it is used as the main teaching technique in ballet classes today? Can dance lessons offer to children the chance to be creative? Can we see ballet as educational? Such as understanding music better.....allowing creativity?Mr. Lambros Lambrou:
This is a wonderful question and should be considered carefully by everyone. Children are naturally inquisitive. Under a good teacher’s eye, they gain trust and will try anything. Ballet is more like a musical instrument. It is extremely difficult to play Bach on a toy piano. So, the physicality of the student when it comes to ballet training differs from the normal or average body type as does the desire to move a certain way. I am very aware of this when I see students and try to be careful without neglecting the very talented child. This is the good thing about living in Limassol.

KidsFuninCyprus: Parents are often the ones who are encouraging children to enjoy a passion. Can they be also become an impediment?

Mr. Lambros Lambrou:

More often than not I am faced with a difficult situation which requires delicate handling.

Its called “ Overly concerned mothers.. ”!!

At first I am greeted by genuine smiles ! I always try to asses the situation carefully as often, the parent may not be a great communicator or posses language skills.

After explaining the programme I follow to all I am immediately told that the child cannot follow the programme and could I please make exceptions. Again, I explain that there is a specific programme and cannot change but if it is possible the child can take extra classes. Again. I am told that this wont do because of other obligations ( another ballet school)

The best person to evaluate talent is a professional teacher or a former dancer who has spent a lifetime in the theatre.

There are no short cuts.

If the parent interferes then a rift is caused…a lack of trust between the student and the teacher. The teacher becomes the bad guy in this triangle. It is easy to toss a..she is very talented….to a young dancer, with the ease of saying Have a nice day! Openness and directness is best done at the very first meeting and while we love what we do, students are not clients as such nor guest artists …They are passionate young boys and girls who should be respected and not pushed by teacher or parent to do things that could be dangerous to the body mind and soul. Ballet training is not like tap, jazz, improvisation, piano or violin. It is more akin to track and field with a huge amount of effort not shown. It requires patience, mental and physical ability, consistency, focus. Dancing around the house all the time does not qualify for ballet excellence or talent…….Swimming, music. playing with others as children, mild gymnastics for beginners are good and healthy activities,as well as attending live, good shows to start forming opinions.

The idea of hard work comes almost naturally to the talented pupil as do other qualities. If you see your children swinging from a chandelier or re writing a dictionary they should be allowed to do so as they are most likely uninterested in ballet training.

KidsFuninCyprus: Can you compare opportunities for professional work between US and UK and here?Mr. Lambros Lambrou:
I lived in N America most of my life. I danced, taught and directed a ballet company for many years. Here in Europe and particular in Cyprus it is impossible to do so. Every city in the US has its own dance group or company and is funded by the private sector. European schools and companies receive huge subsidies from the authorities and often reflect the national, cultural and specific tastes of that society. I’m not sure which is better. Money can by Art!

KidsFuninCyprus: What can be done to improve the dancer's life and the arts in Cyprus?Mr. Lambros Lambrou:
I have been committed to teaching young students what ballet can be. It is up to parents to understand this too. I am not here to make dancers. That is impossible!
The arts flourish when the state decides to look beyond commerce. When this happens the quality of all its’ citizens improves significantly!!
Up until the age of 16 students can prepare for an audition abroad but this means that other activities have to be chosen carefully.

KidsFuninCyprus: There is no way that you could not notice the new poster about the new ballet spectacle created by you. What you can tell us about the new production that will be in Limassol “Once Upon”?Mr. Lambros Lambrou:
The poster is eye catching and fun and causes us to smile. It is also less classical and perhaps closer to what younger students feel today. Personally “the little girl in pink dancing in a tutu” is not valid or a fare image of the art form! That type of an image and perception has caused many young men to stay away from this great art form. We don’t allow bullying of any kind at the Centre.

KidsFuninCyprus:Is Once Upon a story?Mr. Lambros Lambrou:
Once Upon is a simply simple story about a young man who is different from everyone else. He has green hair and is not accepted by others. It’s about bullying, about not fitting in, whether it’s how we look, dress, move, behave. Every single student has contributed in ideas, moves, stories and insight, into the choreography! Ultimately, it’s about all those who pursue a dream.

It was a pleasure discussing dance with you....

“Once Upon” …. A story that has to be told has to be listened, felt and seen.

Out of all toys that have been made in the toy industry it is clear that there is only one that will be the first choice for all children around the world "Lego Bricks". These famous bricks have proved over now decades of playing that there is nothing more interesting for toddlers, boys and girls than to challenge their creativity, imagination, and love to build. Since the beginnings, when Lego has started to be used to build basic shapes, the use of these bricks has been extended to building robots that can move and follow instructions to mathematics and art.

Yes, it is about children who play while getting the most out of this time and this has can be done in Nicosia at Bricks4Kidz.

Bricks4Kidz is home of Legos as it is the only place where you can bring your friends, start building and the bricks will never finish!
Bricks4Kidz is a place for challenge. Challenge your passion to play with Lego that offers millions of possibilities.

The best activities at Bricks4Kidz in Nicosia!

Children can find hundreds of mosaics that they can follow and expand using colors and faces to create something marvelous.
Playing with cars it has never been that entertaining especially when you can build them with your favorite colors, amazing shapes and then use them on the racing track with your friends.
Building robots that move and do stuff for you is something that kids should not forget to try while visiting Bricks4Kidz Nicosia. Children can join "The Bricks 4 Kidz®Junior Robotics Workshop" which offers all the fun of building with LEGO® bricks, PLUS the challenge of computer programming! Using drag-and-drop icon-based software, WeDo software provides an introduction into the world of computer programming and robotics that will equip children to succeed in a technology-based marketplace.

What Kids Have Fun in Cyprus loved the best at Bricks4Kidz are the Drop Off Service and the Parent & Child Build and Learn Together program.

While a parent and child class are a great way to develop the social/emotional skills such as patience, communication and teamwork are exercised in the process of completing a build.
These classes can help your child get used to being in a structural setting, help them learn how to follow directions, and it’s a less anxiety-provoking way of getting your child ready for the classroom.
The Drop Off Service is the parent help, when they need to leave their kids in a safe environment, where kids are watched and entertained by professional staff and where they can spend quality time.

There are many benefits of spending time at Briks4Kidz and we will only count here a few of them that helping children in the development of:
•Counting, Matching, Sorting, Recognition, Assembling, Decision making, Manual dexterity, Concentration, Attention, Patience, Problem solving, Memory, Logic, Spatial and visual organization (basics of geometry), Fine motor skills, Coordinating a child’s thoughts and actions.
•Hand and eye coordination – extremely important step to help a child achieve difficult tasks easily, including reading and writing.
•Correlation between seeing and doing (sight and touch senses)
•Math skills as the child learns about basic calculations, surface area, the best way to break down a larger area into smaller ones, shapes, spatial visualization.
•Language skills as the child listens and follows instructions and talks about what they are doing.
•Creative self-expression.
•Self-exploration.
•Self-discovery.

Bricks4Kidz in Nicosia is loaded with hundreds of thousands of Legos in 2 floors consisting of the main playground with Lego Friends Studio and Dance, Lego Racers, Ninjaco station, Mosaic creator, 3D modeling stations, Technic Lego station with motorized models, a Duplo village for ages 2-5, arts and crafts and many more. On the ground level there is a cafeteria were parents and children can enjoy their snacks and beverages and at the 1st floor there is a STEM Robotics Lab where competitions and classes are held. The Centres offers Hi-speed free Wifi and plenty of parking spaces at the rear and back area.

One of the most entertaining places for children of all ages where they can spend hours of quality time while playing and why not learning ?

Classes follow the Bricks 4 Kidz® motto: We Learn, We Build, We Play with… LEGO® Bricks.

We Learn- Teachers provide a 5-10 minute themed lesson
We Build- Students build the model of the day with simple step by step instructions
We Play- Students explore their own creativity through free play time

Classes are available for children starting 2 years old to 15 years old.No of kids per group: 10Groups languages: Greek and EnglishMeals offered: Yes and can be ordered on the spotWorking days: Tuesday - FridayAfternoon hours: Please contact us at 77 77 02 10Prices: €30.00 per month/child (2-5 Years old) – Pre school class